Short Takes: Opera, Music Festival, Community Art Project, More In Mountain Empire

Tom Netherland | Special to the Bristol Herald
Published: June 12, 2008

HILARY GINTHER
Rainbows. The sound of rain on a tin roof. A whippoorwill’s whippoorwill. Add opera to the list of life’s pleasures.

Then consider Hilary Ginther. The Bristol native sings opera with the skill of a songbird – as if born to do so.

Hear for yourself and help her blossom on June 12 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol.

Chosen to perform at the prestigious Opera Festival di Roma this summer in Rome, Italy, Ginther’s Paramount show will serve as a fundraiser to help cover the costs of travel to Italy.

You could say that Ginther will be singing for her summer – and perhaps a much more flourishing career thanks to the opportunity.

IF YOU GO
Who: Hilary Ginther
When: June 12, 7 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol Tenn.
Tickets: Donations accepted as admission
Info: (423) 274-8920
Web: http://www.myspace.com/hilarygmusic

CLINCH MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Appalachian culture thrives.

Count the Clinch Mountain Festival, which runs from June 13-15, as one reason why.
Featured acts include Rhonda Vincent on June 13 at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield; Heather Berry on Jackson Street in Gate City; J.D. Crowe at the Carter Fold in Hiltons on June 14; and the Primitive Quartet at the Carter Fold on June 15.
There’s more, too much more to list entirely. That in part underscores the legacy of the Carter Family. History embraces the Carters, but so do contemporary musicians. A.P. Carter’s influence spans the decades like an ever-expanding net that encompasses music and most certainly a way of life. Come hear why.

IF YOU GO
Who: Clinch Mountain Music Festival
When: June 13, 6:30 p.m. (Natural Tunnel); June 14, 11 a.m. (Gate City) and 7:30 p.m. (Carter Fold); June 15, 2 p.m. (Carter Fold)
Where: Natural Tunnel State Park, 1420 Natural Tunnel Pkwy.; Carter Family Fold, A.P. Carter Highway, Hiltons; Jackson Street, Gate City, all in Virginia
Tickets: $15 on June 13; $15 on June 14; and $10 on June 15
Info: (877) 266-3303
Web: http://www.clinchfest.net

RICHLANDS FESTIVAL
School’s out, the heat’s up and the fun’s on.

Grab five days of fun at The Greater Richlands Area Festival from June 17-21 in Richlands. Featured entertainment includes the James H. Drew Carnival, an enormous community art project titled Clinch River of Caps, music from such acts as Caiged Angel and a host of other activities.

Those include quilt, art, pet and bluegrass shows. Too sedate? Then hop on and handle some excitement via a wild carnival ride. Fireworks (June 21, 9:45 p.m.) and rock music courtesy Caiged Angel (June 21, 8 p.m.) cap the week’s festivities with equal parts fire and frenzy.

IF YOU GO
What: The Greater Richlands Area Festival and James H. Drew Carnival
When: June 17-21
Where: Richlands Poice Department Complex, Richlands
Info: (276) 963-3385

MUSIC NOTES
-- Be patient. Just a few short days until Coldplay issues its first new album in three years, “Viva La Vida,” the impassioned rock band’s follow-up to 2005’s “X&Y.”
n Also coming to store shelves on June 17 are new releases from heavy metal gods Judas Priest with “Nostradamus,” irreverent rockers The Offspring bow with “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace,” and oldie goldies Chicago step to the plate with “Stone of Sisyphus (XXXII)” – recorded in 1993 and only now being released.

-- Mr. Soggy Bottom Boy and longtime Alison Krauss Union Station band member Dan Tyminski steers to stores with “Wheels,” while strong country voiced Rebecca Lynn Howard aims for success with “No Rules.”

-- Also, be on the lookout for the long awaited new album from 1980s hair metal kings Motley Crue with “Saints of Los Angeles,” and ZZ Top’s DVD “Live from Texas” on June 24.

In the meantime keep cool, connected and by all means stay tuned.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .